USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Annals of Luzerne County; a record of interesting events, traditions, and anecdotes > Part 20
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In 1795, Mr. Johnson died, and was buried in a grave, prepared by his own hands, on Bowman's Hill above Wilkesbarre. Mr. Gray removed to the state of New York, where he preached for many years, and departed this life in a green old age ; while Mr. Wadhams, becoming advanced in years and superannuated, died in Plymouth, in 1806.
After the departure of these ministers the Congrega- tionalists had no settled clergyman among them, and Luzerne county became missionary ground, to be supplied by the Connecticut Missionary Society. Divine service was performed only occasionally by the missionaries,
280
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
among whom were the Revs. J. W. Woodward and D. Harrowell, who were paid a stipulated sum for each ser- mon preached. But we are anticipating the order of events.
1
In 1788, John Franklin, the indomitable Yankee leader, and his associates, who had captured Timothy Pickering, were arraigned before the Supreme Court, at Wilkesbarre, Judge Mckean presiding. Franklin was released on bail, and the rest were tried for riot. The trials being closed, and sentence having been pronounced on a number of the offenders, the action of the court was denounced by the great body of the population. In par- ticular, Mr. Johnson took occasion to condemn the whole proceedings from the pulpit. By order of Judge Mckean, he was brought before the court, and required to give bonds for his good behavior.
After the completion of the log court-house, in 1791, as before stated, it was occupied by Mr. Johnson's con- gregation for divine service; but their pastor did not feel at home in a building appropriated to the uses of what he considered an unholy court.
"He was of that stubborn crew, Presbyterian true blue, Who prove their doctrine orthodox, By apostolic blows and knocks."
With a determined will Mr. Johnson set about to erect a church for his congregation, and in 1791, through his exertions, the town of Wilkesbarre was induced to appoint a committee to select a site for the edifice. The com- mittee was composed of Zebulon Butler, Nathan Waller, J. P. Schott, Timothy Pickering, and Daniel Gore.
In 1792, another committee was appointed by the town to secure subscriptions, to which was added the proceeds
281
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
from the sale of the public ferry. It was not, however, until 1800 that the contract to build was let to Joseph Hitchcock, and the foundation of the "Old Ship Zion" was laid on the site, selected by the first committee, in the public square.
Mr. Johnson did not live to see the commencement of the church on which his heart was set so ardently, and nearly all his older members followed him to the grave before its completion. In June, 1801, the building was enclosed, and its lofty steeple was finished, but soon after, for want of funds, it was deserted by the workmen, and remained in an incomplete condition for years. During that period the tall spire was struck three times by light- ning, which was considered by some as loud spoken warn- ings to the people to complete the Lord's House. Some poet, about this time, rhyming on things generally in Wilkesbarre, thus notices the church :
" No lofty towers here in grandeur rise, No spires ascending seem to seek the skies, Save one that bears aloft the lightning rod, To ward the bolts of an avenging God ; This rod alone essays his shafts to stay, For none within attempt to watch, or pray."
It was now thought it would be a vain attempt to com- plete the work, unless there was a pastor or religious head among them, who would devote his time and abilities to the undertaking. The congregation accordingly called the Rev. Ard Hoyt, who, with ministers of other denomi- nations, held religious services in 'the court-house. Mr. Hoyt labored zealously to induce the people, and parti- cularly the more wealthy portion of the community, to contribute the necessary funds to enable the contractor to resume his work, and bring it to completion. But no effectual effort was made until 1808, when it was resolved
282
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
to finish the Lord's house through the instrumentality of a lottery. Matthias Hollenback, Esq., and twelve other commissioners, advertised an " admirable scheme of 3125 tickets at $8 each." Still the receipts from this source were inadequate, and subscriptions were solicited from members of all denominations of Christians.
OLD CHURCH, WILKESBARRE.
Finally, in the year 1812, after protracted and arduous efforts, Mr. Hitchcock was enabled to finish the most elegant church in northern Pennsylvania. The bell. which was hung in the belfry, and which tolled the funeral knell of scores of the old settlers, and of hundreds
283
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
of their descendants, was manufactured in Philadelphia, by George Hedderly, August 6, 1811. Its weight was 680 pounds. This bell is now on the Presbyterian Church in the borough of Pittston. There is inscribed on it the Latin words, " Gloria in Excelsis Deo-Fili Dei Miserere," and the English sentence, " I will sound and resound unto thy people, O Lord, to call them to thy word."
John Miller was the first sexton. He was succeeded by John Michael Keinzle, who officiated in that capacity for upwards of thirty years. Michael was a native of Geneva, in Switzerland, and came to Wilkesbarre about the year 1802. After the town was incorporated in 1806, Michael was elected high constable, which position he held, to the terror of all boys, until the day of his death, in 1846.
He was a small, active, violent-tempered man, and when excited by the pranks of mischievous lads, flourished his constant companion, a sword-cane, with great vigor and dexterity, proclaiming to all within the sound of his voice, "I beesh de high coonstopple of de borough. I makes you boys to Squire Dyer, and den I makes you to de jail !" Michael was also keeper of the town hay-scales at his bachelor residence, in the old store and warehouse, on the river bank. He also had charge of the town pound. As sexton he was particularly faith- ful. He rang the church bell every evening precisely at 9 o'clock,* and told the day of the month. To exhibit his fearlessness and activity, he occasionally ascended to
* "The curfew tolls the knell of parting day."
This was a custom established in England by William the Conqueror, who required the town bell to be rung at 8 o'clock in the evening, as a sig- nal for the people to cover their fires (which is the signification of the French word curfew), and to retire to rest. This custom was established in Wilkes- barre in 1812, and was continued during Michael's life, and for a short time after his decease.
284
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
the lofty spire of the church by the lightning rod, and stood on the great ball, appearing to the spectators be- neath no larger than General Tom Thumb.
In 1817, the Rev. Ard Hoyt, notwithstanding the membership during his ministration had increased from 30 to 80, failed to receive a competent support. He retired from this field of labor, and became a missionary among the Cherokee Indians.
From that time until 1821, there was not a settled Congregational or Presbyterian clergyman in Luzerne county. The shepherdless flocks received occasional visits from Connecticut missionaries, and the spirit of piety was not suffered to die entirely out. The labors of the Rev. H. Taylor were particularly successful. He organized the first church in Kingston, in 1818, of which he afterwards became the settled pastor.
In 1821, the Rev. Cyrus Gildersleve was called to the churches at Wilkesbarre and Kingston. Desiring to ex- tend the borders of the church, he occasionally preached to the people in Pittston, Providence, Plymouth, Hanover, and Newport.
In 1829, he was succeeded by the Rev. Nicholas Murray, the author of Kirwan Letters.
About this time a dispute arose between the Presbyte- rians and Methodist Episcopalians, respecting the occu- pancy of the church in Wilkesbarre, the former asserting their exclusive right, and the latter declaring it was a Union church, towards the construction of which they had liberally contributed.
" When Greeks joined Greeks, then was the tug of war."
The Presbyterians held the keys, and the doors were locked against the invading Methodists. Committees
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RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
were appointed by the outs, but the ins refused to confer. At length the followers of Wesley assembled in the court- house, and resolved to enter the church at all hazards. They, accordingly, with the approval of their pastor, the Rev. Morgan Sherman, appointed Joseph Slocum, Abraham Thomas, Daniel Collings, and others, a com- mittee to storm the Lord's house. Mr. Slocum forced the windows with a crowbar, and Mr. Thomas, like Sampson at Gaza, lifted the door from its hinges. The people entered the building, and, by direction of James McClintock, Esq., attorney for the Methodists, broke the locks from the pulpit and pew doors. Mr. Sherman then approached the sacred desk, and commenced religious worship by giving out the hymn commencing,
" Equip me for the war, And teach my hands to fight."
In his opening prayer the minister thanked the Lord for many things, but particularly that they could " wor- ship under their own vine and fig tree, few daring to molest, and none to make them afraid." At the close of his discourse Mr. Sherman said, " With the permission of Divine Providence, I will preach in this house again in two weeks from to-day." Whereupon Oristus Collins, Esq., arose and said, " At that time this church will be occupied by another congregation." Mr. Sherman re- peated his notice, and Mr. Collins repeated his reply, after which the benediction was pronounced, and the con- gregation quietly dispersed.
On another occasion the Methodists entered the church, on Sunday morning, in advance of the Presbyterians. Just as the Rev. Benjamin Bidlack was about giving out the first hymn, Matthias Hollenback, Esq., accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Tracy, a Presbyterian clergyman, entered
286
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
the house, and walking a few steps up the aisle, thus addressed the preacher, "What are you doing here ?" " Page 144, short metre," said Mr. Bidlack. " What is that you say ?" inquired Mr. Hollenback. "I say, page 144, short metre," was the reply. Whereupon Mr. Hol- lenback and the Rev. Mr. Tracy retired from the church, while Mr. Bidlack proceeded with the religious exercises.
A full detail of this religious war would be long and tedious. It was finally terminated by the sale of the Presbyterian interest in the building to the Methodists. They occupied it for a number of years, when it was sold to a company; and in 1857, it was taken down and removed.
During the ministration of Mr. Murray, from 1829 to 1833, communicants to the number of 66 were added to the church. Besides the change at that time already adverted to, from the Congregational to the Presbyterian form of church government, his members erected a new frame church in Wilkesbarre, and another in Hanover township.
In 1833, the Rev. John Dorrance,3on whom was con- ferred the degree of D. D., in 1859, by Princeton College, was called to the pastoral charge of the Wilkesbarre con- gregation. During his administration, an elegant brick church was erected on the site occupied by the old one, the number of communicants has increased from 126 to 307, and the revenue of the charge has advanced from hundreds to thousands of dollars annually.
The names of the gentlemen who have entered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church from Wilkesbarre, are as follows :
Rev. Mr. Hoyt; Jos. H. Jones, D. D. ; Rev. J. S. Hart, licentiate, late Principal of Philadelphia High School ; Rev. John Watters; Rev. Edwin Rheinhart; Rev. John
287
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
W. Sterling, Prof. in Wisconsin University ; Rev. Alex- ander Dilly ; Rev. Henry Rinker; Rev. William E. Baker; Rev. Benj. C. Dorrance, licentiate; Rev. Mr. Chamberlin ; Rev. Zebulon Butler, D. D .; Rev. John Dorrance, D. D .; Rev. David J. Waller; Rev. Samuel Helme; Rev. Henry H. Wells; Rev. John Brown ; Rev. John F. Baker; Rev. Charles J. Collins ; Rev. David Jewett.
In 1832, the Rev. Alexander Heberton received and accepted a call from the congregation at Kingston ; since which time that charge has sustained its own pastor, and erected a comfortable frame church.
The congregations in the Lackawanna Valley continued to be supplied by missionaries, appointed by the Susque- hanna Presbytery, until 1842. At that time the Pittston church, called the church of the Lackawanna, was organ- ized. Among the missionaries who ministered to the spiritual wants of the several congregations in that valley, were the Rev. Owen Brown, Rev. Charles Evans, and the Rev. N. G. Parke.
In 1846, the Lackawanna congregation was divided, and the Rev. Mr. Parke was called to the church at Pittston in 1847, and the Rev. J. D. Mitchell to the church at Scranton in 1848.
Down to the year 1843, Luzerne county was embraced in the Susquehanna Presbytery, at which time, by order of the General Assembly, the Luzerne Presbytery was organized, embracing the counties of Luzerne, Schuylkill, and Carbon, and the township of Brier Creek in Columbia county. Since then the churches in Tunkhannock, and in Northmoreland township, Wyoming county, have been added from the Susquehanna Presbytery. The churches organized in the county, by authority of the Luzerne Presbytery, with the dates of their organization, are as follows :
288 .
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
Wyoming,
organized,
Sept. 21, 1847.
Scranton,
Oct. 18, 1848.
White Haven,
Dec. 10, 1850.
Hazleton,
May 8, 1854.
Scranton (German),
66
June 25, 1856.
Plymouth,
66
Oct. 5, 1856.
Eckley,
Jan. 24, 1857.
The following table has been made up from the minutes of the General Assembly (Old School) for 1859, and exhibits the numerical condition, &c., of the several con- gregations in the county.
Churches.
Pastors.
No. Com- muni- cants.
: No. S. S. Scholars.
Foreign and Do- mestic Missions.
Congre- gational purposes.
Wilkesbarre
Jno. Dorrance, D. D. .
307
400
$325
$1000
Scranton
M. J. Hickok, D. D. .
239
300
135
2200
Pittston
N. G. Parke
235
200
60
1500
Newton .
W. E. Holmes .
119
180
28
Hazelton .
Jno. Armstrong
91
325
79
850
Conyngham
Jno. Johnson
87
15
Kingston
HI. HI. Wells
54
100
100
Wyoming
Henry Rinker
45
30
46
Plymouth
E. HI. Snowden
39
2
40
Eckley
Jonathan Osmon
35
60
22
250
Hanover
T. P. Hunt .
23
White Haven
Jonathan Osmon No Report.
21
80
11
200
Scranton (German)
1295
1675
823
6040
There are, in the United States, of the Old School Presbyterians, 2577 ministers, 3487 churches, 279,630 communicants, and the entire revenue of the church was $2,835,147.
NEW SCHOOL PRESBYTERIANS.
The church in Carbondale was organized in 1829 by the Rev. Joel Campbell, who was succeeded by the Rev.
289
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
T. S. Ward, the present pastor .* When the division of the church occurred, in 1838, the Carbondale congregation united with the New School branch. It has 225 com- municants, and, with the churches at Archbald, Provi- dence, Hyde Park, Abington, and Dunmore, constitutes the greater portion of the Montrose Presbytery.
The membership of the New School, Cumberland, Associate, &c., Presbyterians, in the United States, ex- ceeds 350,000.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Methodism originated in a prayer or experience meet .. ing held in London, in 1739, under the direction of the Rev. John Wesley, a minister of the Episcopal or Esta- blished Church of England. It was introduced into America, by emigrants from Ireland, in 1766, at which time the first society was formed in the city of New York, by Philip Embury, a local preacher. The following year, Captain Webb, of the British army, came to America to take command of the military post at Albany, and, having professed religion under the preaching of Mr. Wesley in England, he joined with Mr. Embury in proclaiming their peculiar doctrines to the people of New York, Philadel- phia, and other places. The Captain did not neglect his military duties, but when the opportunity occurred he was ready and willing to preach the gospel. In 1769, Mr. Wesley sent two preachers from England to assist in the revival of religion in this country, and in 1773 the first Methodist Conference was held in Philadelphia, when the number of preachers was 10, and the membership 1160.
The origin of Methodism in Luzerne county was on this wise. Prior to 1778, Anning Owen, a blacksmith, erected a small log-house and smith-shop, on the great road in Kingston, a few rods above the present residence of
* Died in 1864, and was succeeded by Rev. Oliver Crane.
19
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ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
Colonel Charles Dorrance. Here Owen toiled at his trade until July 3d, 1778, when he shouldered his musket in common with his neighbors, and went forth under Butler and Denison to encounter the British and Indians. He stood his ground bravely, until compelled to give way in the general retreat. Flying from the lost field, he found himself hotly pursued by a fierce savage, who, with a swift foot, was hastening to bury a tomahawk in his brain. Eternity seemed near at hand, and he called on his God for help and deliverance, vowing, if preserved, to repent of his sins and to lead a new life. Redoubling his efforts, as if inspired with fresh strength and energy, he escaped from his pursuer, and concealed himself in a thicket until nightfall. Under cover of darkness, he made good his retreat to the fort. Sometime after this, being then in the East, he attended a Methodist meeting, where the preacher with great zeal and solemnity reasoned of righteousness and of a judgment to come. Owen remem- bered his vow to God, and his great deliverance : he con- fessed his sins, and found mercy through faith in the Saviour. His conversion was complete, and he evinced great sincerity and earnestness in his efforts to save his own soul and the souls of his fellow-men. He received license as an exhorter, and afterwards returned to the valley. Here, in addition to his weekday labor in the smith-shop, he appointed Sunday prayer meetings to be held at his own house, when he exhorted the people to seek the salvation of their souls. The seed, thus sown by a plain and uneducated but pious and zealous blacksmith, took root, sprang up, and began to bear fruit. Similar meet- ings, at which Mr. Owen exhorted, were held at Jonathan Smith's, in Newport; at the widow Jameson's, in Hano- ver; at Captain John Vaughn's, at Old Forge, in Lacka- wanna; at Lucas', on Ross Hill, in Kingston; at the
291
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
widow Coleman's, in Plymouth, and at other places in the valley. In 1791, this region of country was taken into the Methodist Conference, and attached to the New York District, under the name of Wyoming. That district then embraced Newburgh, New York, New Rochelle, Long Island, and Wyoming. The Rev. Robert Cloud was, that year, made presiding elder of the district, and the Rev. James Campbell was appointed to the Wyoming Circuit. When Mr. Campbell arrived at his new field of the itinerancy, he found 100 professors of religion, the fruit of the labors of Anning Owen, and of others. A class was formed in Hanover, and Stephen Burrett was appointed leader. It met once a week, at the house of Aaron Hunt. Another was formed, with James Sutton as leader, to meet at the house of Captain Vaughn. There was also a class in Kingston, one in Plymouth, one in New- port, and one in Wilkesbarre. At all of these places Mr. Campbell preached, sometimes in private dwellings, some- times in barns, and at other times in the open air. One of the first Quarterly Meetings was held in a barn, in Hanover, belonging to the widow Jameson, and was attended by Methodists from Briar Creek, in Columbia, then Northumberland county, and from other parts of the country thirty and forty miles distant.
Anning Owen was received into the conference in 1795 as a traveling preacher, and was efficient and acceptable until 1813, when he became superannuated.
According to the regulations of the Methodist Episcopal Church, their preachers itinerate, or pass from one circuit to another every year, or every two years. Therefore, in 1792, Mr. Campbell was succeeded by the Rev. William Hardesty.
In July, 1793, Bishop Asbury visited Wyoming and other portions of the district. At a glance his great
292
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
knowledge of human nature and of the world enabled him to comprehend the character of the people, and the condition of the country. At the Conference, in August following, he appointed the Rev. Valentine Cook, Presid- ing Elder, and placed the Rev. William Colbert, and Rev. Anthony Turek, on Wyoming circuit. During this con- ference year the membership increased from 100 to 183. In 1794, James Paynter traveled Wyoming circuit, and was succeeded by the Rev. A. White, in 1795, who re- mained two years.
In 1796, a new distriet, called the Susquehanna dis- trict, the Rev. Thomas Ware, P. E., was formed, extend- ing from Philadelphia to Western New York, and divided into nine circuits. Wyoming was included in it.
In 1797, the Rev. Roger Benton traveled Wyoming, and in 1798 he was followed by the Rev. William Colbert. In 1799, the Rev. William M'Lenahan was presiding elder, and Wyoming and Northumberland circuits united were traveled by the Reverends James Moore, Benjamin Bidlack, and David Stevens.
In 1800, Rev. Joseph Everett was presiding elder, and Ephraim Chambers, Edward Larkins, and Asa Smith, were the preachers. In 1801, Ephraim Chambers and Anning Owen, and in 1802 Ephraim Chambers and Wil- liam Brandon were the preachers.
In 1803, James Smith became presiding elder of the district, and James Polemus and Hugh MeCurdy were appointed preachers.
In 1804, Morris Howe and Robert Burch were the preachers, and the Susquehanna district was transferred from the Philadelphia to the Baltimore Conference. During this year the membership increased from 300 to 446. About this time, the Presbyterians and Methodists
293
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
in Kingston united and built what is now the old church at Forty Fort.
This was the first finished church in the county in which religious services were held ; for though the church in Hanover, erected by the Paxton Presbyterians, was commenced before this, yet it was never completed.
In 1805, Anning Owen was presiding elder, and James Paynter and Joseph Carson were the preachers.
OLD CHURCH, FORTY FORT.
In 1806, Christopher Frye and Alfred Griffith traveled Wyoming circuit, and the number of members was 523. Gideon Draper and William Butler were the preachers in 1807. In 1808, the Susquehanna district was again placed under the jurisdiction of the Philadelphia confer- ence, James Herron became presiding elder, and the tra- veling preachers for Wyoming were James Reily and Henry Montooth. The next year, 1809, Gideon Draper was presiding elder, and George Lane and Abraham Dawson were the traveling preachers. During this year
294
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
the first camp-meeting in Luzerne county was held near the village of Wyoming. A rough board stand was con- structed, which was occupied by the preachers during Divine service, and a circle of tents was formed round about, composed of wagon and bed covers stretched over hooped saplings. The floors of the tents were the bare ground concealed by a sprinkling of straw, while the beautiful green foliage of the forest was spread out above them. Multitudes of people collected from far and near, attracted, many by novelty, and some by a desire to do good and to get good. The sermons preached were delivered with astonishing energy and feeling. The tremendous emotions of the speaker were communicated to his audience, and an excitement was produced of which
we in this day can have but a faint conception.
The
cries of the penitent, and the shouts of rejoicing Chris- tians, mingled with the deep tones of the preacher, pro- duced a marked effect even on the most obdurate infidel. At some of these meetings, strong men, pale and trembling, fell to the earth, imploring mercy. Great congregations of men and women, moved by some strong sensation, sudden and powerful as the electric shock, seemed struck with consternation. Crowding thousands hung in breath- less silence on the lips of the impassioned orator. No sound would be heard save the thrilling tones of the clo- quent appeal, when suddenly a cry, bursting from the agony of an alarmed soul, would send dismay and terror and conviction to the hearts of hundreds. The preacher ceased, his voice was drowned in the tumult, for there were cries, and sobs, and tears, and shoutings all around him.
The infidel doctrines of the French Revolution had swept over America, producing a most disastrous effect on the religious sentiment of the country. During our own
295
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
Revolution, and for a few years after, great efforts were made to further the cause of religion here, and with encouraging success. But when France overturned her monarchy, and with it her altars of religion, the people of the United States, while sympathizing with her in her struggle for liberty, imbibed her atheistical notions. In the eighteen years from the time the first Methodist con- ference was held in 1773, to 1791, the membership of that church had increased from 1100 to 76,000. But the pernicious doctrines of the French philosophers having become widely disseminated, there was no longer an increase; the membership even grew less, so that ten years afterwards, in 1801, there were but 72,000 church members. But about this time a great revival of religion commenced in America, and at the end of the next ten years, 1811, the membership numbered 184,000, being an increase, since 1801, of 112,000. One of the most efficient agencies in bringing about this great result was camp-meetings. Almost immediately on their general introduction, tens of thousands were annually added to the church, and the doctrines of Jesus Christ soon became far more popular than the infidel sentiments of the French revolutionists. Camp-meetings are said to have had their origin on this wise: In 1799, two brothers, John and William McGee, the former a Methodist, and the latter a Presbyterian minister, were traveling together in Ken- tucky. Having reached a point on Red river, they tarried by invitation of the Rev. Mr. McGeady, and participated in the sacramental services of his church on the following day. John McGee preached, and was followed by the Rev. Mr. Hoge, a Presbyterian minister, who preached with great power; so much so, that a good woman in the congregation shouted aloud in praising God. A great revival of religion was the result of this effort, and the
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